Vehicle interior lighting device

Abstract

To suppress a cost increase and improve design.SOLUTION: In a vehicle interior lighting device 1, a first interior LED 53 and a second interior LED 54 are stored in a case 20. An interior illumination part 32 is provided on a panel 30 of the case 20, and the light radiated by the first interior LED 53 and the second interior LED 54 penetrates the interior illumination part 32 to irradiate the inside of a vehicle cabin CA. Then a decorative illumination part 30C having a decorative translucent part 30D capable of transmitting light is provided on the panel 30, leads the light from the first interior LED 53 to the back side of the decorative illumination part 30C by using a first lens 60 stored in the case 20, and leads the light from the second interior LED 54 to the back side of the decorative illumination part 30C by using a second lens 70 stored in the case 20. Thus the first interior LED 53 and the second interior LED 54 for illuminating the inside of the vehicle cabin CA can be used to illuminate the decorative illumination part 30C to decorate the vehicle interior lighting device 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle interior lighting device. [Background technology]

[0002] The overhead console (hereinafter referred to as the OH console) described in Patent Document 1 below is provided in the center of the front end of the roof of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The OH console has spotlights, switches, a small item storage section, ultrasonic sensors, etc. When an occupant operates the switch, the inside of the vehicle is illuminated by the spotlights. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-201221 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, in a vehicle interior lighting device such as the above-mentioned OH console, in addition to the lighting unit that illuminates the vehicle interior, a decorated lighting unit (hereinafter referred to as a decorative lighting unit) can be provided, for example, to improve the design of the vehicle interior lighting device. However, providing a separate light source for illuminating the decorative lighting unit may lead to an increase in the cost of the vehicle interior lighting device. For this reason, it is desirable to provide a vehicle interior lighting device with a structure that can improve the design while suppressing an increase in cost.

[0005] In consideration of the above, the present invention provides a vehicle interior lighting device that can improve design while suppressing an increase in cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One or more embodiments of the present invention are an interior vehicle lighting device including a case including a first light source that irradiates light toward the inside of the vehicle interior, a second light source that irradiates light toward the inside of the vehicle interior, an interior lighting unit that houses the first light source and the second light source and transmits light irradiated from the first light source and the second light source to illuminate the interior of the vehicle interior, and a decorative lighting unit having a translucent portion that can transmit light, a first lens that is housed in the case and guides the light irradiated from the first light source to a rear side of the decorative lighting unit, and a second lens that is housed in the case and guides the light irradiated from the second light source to the rear side of the decorative lighting unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to improve design while suppressing increases in costs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a rear view showing the interior of a vehicle to which a vehicle interior lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, as viewed from the rear side of the vehicle. [Diagram 2] 2 is a bottom view of the vehicle interior lighting device shown in FIG. 1, as viewed from the vehicle underside. [Diagram 3] 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle interior lighting device shown in FIG. 2, as viewed obliquely from the right rear side of the vehicle. [Figure 4] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle interior lighting device shown in FIG. 3 with a lower case and a panel removed. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the panel shown in FIG. 3 with the panel removed from the lower case. [Figure 6] 5 is a bottom view seen from below the vehicle, showing the positional relationship between the first lens, the second lens, and the substrate shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 2) showing the inside of the vehicle interior lighting device shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the rear side of the vehicle. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 2) showing the inside of the vehicle interior lighting device shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the right side of the vehicle. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 2) showing the inside of the vehicle interior lighting device shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the right side of the vehicle. [Figure 10] (A) is a bottom view showing a schematic of the decorative lighting section in the down lighting state of the vehicle interior lighting device, (B) is a bottom view showing a schematic of the decorative lighting section in the spot lighting state of the vehicle interior lighting device, and (C) is a bottom view showing a schematic of the decorative lighting section in the room lighting state of the vehicle interior lighting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a vehicle interior lighting device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 is configured as a device for illuminating the interior of a vehicle compartment CA of a vehicle (automobile) V. Note that arrows UP, FR, and RH appropriately shown in the drawings indicate the upper side, front side, and right side (one side in the vehicle width direction) of the vehicle V, respectively. In the following description, when the up-down, front-rear, and left-right directions are used, they refer to the up-down direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction of the vehicle, unless otherwise specified.

[0010] As shown in Figs. 2 to 5, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 is formed in a generally rectangular flat shape with the thickness direction being in the up-down direction and the length direction being in the left-right direction as a whole. The vehicle interior lighting device 1 is provided in the left-right center part at the front end side part of the ceiling RF of the vehicle compartment CA (see Fig. 1), and a panel 30 (described later) is exposed from the ceiling RF to the vehicle compartment CA side. The vehicle interior lighting device 1 is configured to include a frame 10, a case 20, a substrate 50, a first lens 60, and a second lens 70. Each component of the vehicle interior lighting device 1 will be described below.

[0011] (About frame 10) 4 and 7 to 9, the frame 10 constitutes the framework of the vehicle interior lighting device 1, and is formed in a generally rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction extending in the left-right direction when viewed from below (the inside of the vehicle interior CA). Fixing claws 10A are provided on both left and right ends of the frame 10, and the fixing claws 10A are engaged with the ceiling RF of the vehicle interior CA to fix the vehicle interior lighting device 1 to the ceiling RF.

[0012] The rear part of the frame 10 is provided with a lens housing section 10B that houses a first lens 60 and a second lens 70, which will be described later. The lens housing section 10B is formed in a generally U-shaped cylinder that is open to the front side when viewed from the bottom. In the middle part of the frame 10 in the front-rear direction, a pair of left and right first tube sections 10C (see FIG. 7) are formed at the outer ends in the left-right direction, and the first tube section 10C is formed in a generally rectangular cylinder with the axial direction being the up-down direction. The inner peripheral surface of the lower part of the first tube section 10C is inclined inward as it goes upward, and a step section that protrudes inward of the first tube section 10C is formed at the boundary between the upper and lower parts of the first tube section 10C. In addition, the inclination angle of the outer surface in the left-right direction of the inner peripheral surface of the lower part of the first tube section 10C is set to be larger than the inclination angles of the other surfaces. In the middle part of the frame 10 in the front-rear direction, a pair of left and right second tube sections 10D (see FIG. 7) are formed. The second tube portion 10D is disposed inside the first tube portion 10C in the left-right direction, and is formed in a generally rectangular tube shape with a bottom that is open to the top. A rectangular light-transmitting hole 10E is formed through the bottom wall of the second tube portion 10D. The first tube portion 10C and the second tube portion 10D are disposed in front of the outer end of the lens housing portion 10B in the left-right direction, and the first tube portion 10C and the second tube portion 10D communicate with the lens housing portion 10B.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 4, a center light guiding lens 11 is provided in the center in the left-right direction in the middle of the front-rear direction of the frame 10. The center light guiding lens 11 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with the plate thickness direction being the up-down direction and the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction, and the front end of the center light guiding lens 11 is bent upward. A pair of front and rear side light guiding lenses 12 are provided respectively on the left-right outer sides of the center light guiding lens 11 in the middle of the front-rear direction of the frame 10. That is, the frame 10 is provided with four side light guiding lenses 12. The side light guiding lenses 12 are formed in a substantially rectangular block shape. The center light guiding lens 11 and the side light guiding lenses 12 are formed of a material that can transmit light.

[0014] An indicator lens group 13 is provided at the front end of the frame 10. The indicator lens group 13 is composed of a plurality of indicator light guide lenses 14, and the indicator light guide lenses 14 are made of a material that can transmit light.

[0015] (Regarding Case 20) 2 to 9, the case 20 constitutes the outer shell of the vehicle interior lighting device 1. The case 20 has a case main body 21 and a panel 30. The case main body 21 will be described below, and the panel 30 will be described later. The case main body 21 is composed of case members divided into two parts, upper and lower. Specifically, the case main body 21 is composed of an upper case member 22 that constitutes the upper part of the case main body 21 and a lower case member 23 that constitutes the lower part of the case 20.

[0016] The upper case member 22 is formed in a generally rectangular box shape that is open downward, and is attached to the outer periphery of the frame 10 by claw engagement, covering the frame 10 from above. A sensor housing section 22A that protrudes downward is formed in the rear of the upper case member 22. The sensor housing section 22A is formed in a shape that corresponds to the lens housing section 10B of the frame 10 when viewed from below, and is formed in a concave shape that is open upward, and is fitted into the lens housing section 10B.

[0017] A radio wave sensor 40 (see Figs. 6, 8, and 9) is accommodated in the center of the sensor accommodation section 22A in the left-right direction. The radio wave sensor 40 is a sensor that uses radio waves such as ultrasonic waves, millimeter waves, infrared rays, and visible light, and is electrically connected to a control section 51 described later. The radio wave sensor 40 is configured as a sensor for detecting an occupant getting into the vehicle compartment CA. Specifically, the radio wave sensor 40 has a transmitting section and a receiving section, and transmits radio waves from the transmitting section toward the vehicle compartment CA, and receives the reflected waves of the radio waves transmitted from the transmitting section by the receiving section. Then, the control section 51 determines whether an occupant is in the vehicle compartment CA based on the waveform of the reflected waves. The radio wave sensor 40 can be used in devices having various functions mounted on a vehicle, such as an anti-theft device that detects unauthorized entry into the vehicle compartment and an abandoned child detection device that detects the abandoned child in the vehicle compartment.

[0018] The lower case member 23 is formed in a rectangular box shape with a relatively shallow bottom that is open to the top, and is assembled to the outer periphery of the frame 10 by a claw engagement, covering the frame 10 from the bottom. The lower case member 23 is made of a resin material or the like that is not transparent to light. The lower case member 23 is provided with a case-side first light-transmitting portion 23A at a position corresponding to the lens housing portion 10B of the frame 10, and the case-side first light-transmitting portion 23A is formed in a shape corresponding to the lens housing portion 10B when viewed from the bottom. The lower case member 23 is formed with a case-side recessed portion 23B below the center light guide lens 11 of the frame 10. The case-side recessed portion 23B is formed in a concave shape that is raised to the top and opened to the bottom, and extends in the front-rear direction. The case-side recess 23B is provided with a case-side second light-transmitting portion 23C, which is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction. The lower case member 23 is provided with a case-side third light-transmitting portion 23D at a position corresponding to the side light-guiding lens 12 of the frame 10, which is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from below. The lower case member 23 is provided with a case-side fourth light-transmitting portion 23E at a position corresponding to the indicator light-guiding lens 14 of the frame 10, which is formed in a shape corresponding to the indicator light-guiding lens 14 when viewed from below. The case side first light-transmitting portion 23A, the case side second light-transmitting portion 23C, the case side third light-transmitting portion 23D, and the case side fourth light-transmitting portion 23E are formed from a resin material that can transmit light, and these light-transmitting portions and the lower case member 23 are formed integrally by a technique such as two-color molding.

[0019] A case-side protuberance 23F protuberant downward is formed at the front end of the lower case member 23, and the case-side protuberance 23F extends in the left-right direction. When viewed from the left-right direction, the case-side protuberance 23F is formed in a substantially V-shape that opens upward, and the above-mentioned case-side fourth light-transmitting portion 23E is formed on the rear wall and lower end of the case-side protuberance 23F. A pair of left and right case-side openings 23G are formed through the upper-lower middle portion of the lower case member 23 at the left-right outer portion. The case-side openings 23G are formed in a substantially rectangular shape with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction. In addition, the size of the case-side openings 23G is set so that the first tube portion 10C and the second tube portion 10D of the frame 10 are located inside the case-side openings 23G when viewed from below.

[0020] (Regarding the substrate 50) As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the board 50 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with the plate thickness direction being the up-down direction and the longitudinal direction being the left-right direction. The board 50 is disposed on the upper side of the front part of the frame 10, and is sandwiched in the up-down direction by the frame 10 and the upper case member 22, and is fastened and fixed to the frame 10 together with the upper case member 22 by the screw SC (see FIG. 8). Specifically, the board 50 is disposed on the front side of the lens housing part 10B. This ensures that the radio wave sensor 40 and the board 50 do not overlap when viewed from below. A control unit 51 (see FIG. 7) is provided on the upper surface of the board 50. A connector 52 is provided on the right end of the upper surface of the board 50, and the connector 52 is electrically connected to the control unit 51. A vehicle-side connector (not shown) is inserted into the connector 52 to supply power to the board 50.

[0021] At the rear end of the lower surface of the substrate 50, first indoor LEDs 53 as a pair of left and right first light sources are provided at the outer left and right ends. The first indoor LEDs 53 are located in the first cylindrical portion 10C of the frame 10 when viewed from below (see FIG. 7), and radiate emitted light downward. At the rear end of the lower surface of the substrate 50, second indoor LEDs 54 as a pair of left and right second light sources are provided. The second indoor LEDs 54 are located opposite the light-transmitting hole 10E in the second cylindrical portion 10D of the frame 10 when viewed from below (see FIG. 7), and radiate emitted light downward.

[0022] A pair of center button LEDs 55 are provided on the lower surface of the substrate 50, and the center button LEDs 55 are located above the front end of the center light guiding lens 11. The center button LEDs 55 irradiate emitted light downward, and the light that enters the front end of the center light guiding lens 11 is guided to the rear side within the center light guiding lens 11. Side button LEDs 56 are provided on the lower surface of the substrate 50 above the side light guiding lens 12. The side button LEDs 56 irradiate emitted light downward, and the light passes through the side light guiding lens 12 and is guided to the lower surface of the side light guiding lens 12. A plurality of indicator LEDs 57 are provided on the lower surface of the substrate 50 above the indicator light guiding lens 14. The indicator LEDs 57 irradiate emitted light downward, and the light passes through the indicator light guiding lens 14 and is guided to the lower surface of the indicator light guiding lens 14. These LEDs are electrically connected to the control unit 51 and are turned on or off under the control of the control unit 51.

[0023] (Regarding Panel 30) As shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5 to 9, the panel 30 is formed in a substantially rectangular sheet shape with the thickness direction being the up-down direction and the length direction being the left-right direction. The panel 30 is formed integrally with the lower case member 23 so as to cover the lower surface and the side surface of the lower case member 23. That is, a panel side protuberance 30A corresponding to the case side protuberance 23F of the lower case member 23 is formed at the front end of the panel 30. The panel side protuberance 30A is formed in a substantially V-shape that is open upward when viewed from the left-right direction. In addition, a panel side recess 30B corresponding to the case side recess 23B of the lower case member 23 is formed at the center in the left-right direction of the panel 30. The panel side recess 30B is formed in a concave shape that is protuberant upward and open downward, and extends in the front-rear direction. The panel 30 is formed of a material that can transmit light, and a light-shielding paint is applied to the upper surface of the panel 30. This makes the panel 30 non-transparent to light.

[0024] A decorative lighting section 30C is provided at the rear of the panel 30 at a position facing the first case-side light-transmitting section 23A of the lower case member 23, and the decorative lighting section 30C is formed to correspond to the first case-side light-transmitting section 23A when viewed from below. That is, the decorative lighting section 30C extends in the left-right direction and is disposed below the radio wave sensor 40 to cover the radio wave sensor 40 from below. The decorative lighting section 30C has decorative light-transmitting sections 30D as a plurality of light-transmitting sections, and a predetermined pattern is formed in the decorative lighting section 30C by the plurality of decorative light-transmitting sections 30D. Specifically, the decorative light-transmitting section 30D is not coated with light-shielding paint, and the decorative lighting section 30C is illuminated in a predetermined pattern by the light irradiated from the first lens 60 and the second lens 70 described later passing through the decorative light-transmitting section 30D. In addition, in the drawings, for convenience, only a specific decorative light-transmitting section 30D is marked with a symbol. In addition, the outer left-right portions of the decorative lighting section 30C are designated as the first decorative lighting section 30C1, and the middle left-right portion of the decorative lighting section 30C is designated as the second decorative lighting section 30C2, so that the first decorative lighting section 30C1 and the second decorative lighting section 30C2 are arranged continuously in the left-right direction (see Figure 2).

[0025] The panel 30 has a center touch button section 30E located below the second case-side light-transmitting section 23C of the lower case member 23 in the panel-side recess 30B. The center touch button section 30E is configured as an operation section for operating a sunroof (not shown) provided on the ceiling RF. The panel 30 has a side touch button section 30F1-30F4 located below the third case-side light-transmitting section 23D of the lower case member 23. The side touch button sections 30F1-30F4 are configured as operation sections used to turn on or off the first indoor LED 53 and the second indoor LED 54. The center touch button section 30E and the side touch button sections 30F1-30F4 are formed with display sections (not shown), and characters, figures, symbols, marks, etc. are applied to the display sections. The display sections are configured in the same manner as the decorative light-transmitting section 30D. In other words, this display portion is not coated with a light-blocking paint, and the light irradiated downward from the case side second light-transmitting portion 23C and the case side third light-transmitting portion 23D passes through the display portion, thereby illuminating the display portion.

[0026] In addition, detection electrodes (not shown) are arranged on the upper side of the lower case member 23 at positions corresponding to the center touch button section 30E and the side touch button sections 30F1 to 30F4. Each detection electrode is connected to the substrate 50 and electrically connected to the control section 51. The detection electrodes detect the touch (approach) of the occupant's finger to the center touch button section 30E and the side touch button sections 30F1 to 30F4. Specifically, when the occupant's finger touches the center touch button section 30E (side touch button sections 30F1 to 30F4), the capacitance between the detection electrodes and the occupant's finger increases, and the control section 51 detects the touch of the occupant's finger to the center touch button section 30E (side touch button sections 30F1 to 30F4) based on the output from the detection electrodes. As a result, the center touch button section 30E and the detection electrodes form a touch switch, and the side touch buttons 30F1 to 30F4 and the detection electrodes form a touch switch.

[0027] The portion of the panel 30 located below the case-side fourth light-transmitting portion 23E of the lower case member 23 is the indicator portion 30G. The indicator portion 30G is formed with a display portion (not shown), and the display portion is provided with characters, figures, symbols, marks, etc. This display portion is configured similarly to the center touch button portion 30E and the side touch button portions 30F1 to 30F4. That is, the display portion is not coated with light-shielding paint, and the display portion in the indicator portion 30G is illuminated by the light irradiated downward from the case-side fourth light-transmitting portion 23E passing through the display portion.

[0028] An opening covering portion 30H (see FIG. 7) is formed on the panel 30 at a position corresponding to the case-side opening 23G of the lower case member 23. The opening covering portion 30H is formed in a frame shape when viewed from below so as to cover the inner peripheral surface of the case-side opening 23G, and is formed in a substantially crank shape when viewed from the circumferential direction of the case-side opening 23G. As a result, a panel-side opening 30J formed by the opening covering portion 30H is formed penetrating the panel 30 in the up-down direction, and the first cylindrical portion 10C and the second cylindrical portion 10D of the frame 10 are positioned within the panel-side opening 30J when viewed from below.

[0029] A pair of left and right indoor lighting units 32 are provided within the opening covering portion 30H of the panel 30. The indoor lighting units 32 are formed in a substantially rectangular sheet shape with the thickness direction being in the up-down direction, and are formed from a material that can transmit light. The indoor lighting units 32 are disposed adjacent to the lower sides of the first tube portion 10C and the second tube portion 10D of the frame 10.

[0030] (Regarding the first lens 60) As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the first lens 60 is made of a material that can transmit light. The first lens 60 has a first lens body 60A, which is formed in a substantially long plate shape with the plate thickness direction in the up-down direction and extending in the left-right direction. Specifically, the first lens body 60A is formed in a substantially U-shape that opens to the front side when viewed from below so as to close the lens housing portion 10B of the frame 10, and is housed in the lens housing portion 10B. At the front end of both ends in the left-right direction of the first lens 60, a connection portion 60B is formed, and the connection portion 60B is bent obliquely upward and forward.

[0031] A lens base 60C is provided on the front side of each of the left and right ends of the first lens body 60A. The lens base 60C is formed in a substantially bottomed rectangular tube shape that is open to the top, and is disposed within the upper portion of the first tube portion 10C of the frame 10. The lens base 60C is disposed above the first lens body 60A, and the connection portion 60B of the first lens body 60A is connected to the lower end of the lens base 60C. The lens base 60C is sandwiched vertically between the first tube portion 10C and the substrate 50, and the first indoor LED 53 is located within the opening of the lens base 60C.

[0032] Inside the lens base 60C, a light entrance section 60D (see FIG. 7) is provided. The light entrance section 60D is formed in a substantially quadrangular pyramid shape and protrudes upward from the lower wall of the lens base 60C, and the top surface of the light entrance section 60D is formed along a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. A recess 60E (see FIG. 7) that opens upward is formed on the top surface of the light entrance section 60D, and the inner peripheral surface of the recess 60E is inclined inward as it approaches the lower side. The first indoor LED 53 is located in the recess 60E when viewed from below. A convex curved surface 60F (see FIG. 7) is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 60E, and the convex curved surface 60F is disposed at a position shifted outward in the left-right direction from the first indoor LED 53 when viewed from the rear side. The convex curved surface 60F is formed in a substantially arc shape that is convex toward the first indoor LED 53 when viewed from the rear side. As a result, the light emitted downward from the first interior LED 53 is guided outward in the left-right direction by the light entrance portion 60D, passes through the interior lighting portion 32 of the panel 30, and mainly illuminates the vehicle seat SE (see Figure 1) of the vehicle V that is located outside the left-right direction of the vehicle interior lighting device 1.

[0033] Furthermore, when the first indoor LED 53 is turned on, the light entering the light entrance portion 60D is guided to the first lens body 60A by the connection portion 60B, and the light guided to the first lens body 60A mainly illuminates from above the first decorative illumination portion 30C1 of the decorative illumination portion 30C in the panel 30. That is, the decorative light-transmitting portion 30D of the first decorative illumination portion 30C1 is illuminated by the light from the first lens body 60A, and the first decorative illumination portion 30C1 is illuminated in a predetermined pattern.

[0034] (Regarding the second lens 70) The second lens 70 is made of a material that can transmit light, similar to the first lens 60. The second lens 70 has a second lens body 70A, which is formed in a substantially long plate shape with the plate thickness direction being the up-down direction and extending in the left-right direction. Specifically, similar to the first lens body 60A, the second lens body 70A is formed in a substantially U-shape that is open to the front side when viewed from below so as to close the lens housing portion 10B of the frame 10, and is housed in the lens housing portion 10B below the first lens body 60A.

[0035] The second lens 70 has a second lens light guide section 70B, which is formed in a substantially long round rod shape and is bent in a substantially U-shape that opens to the front side when viewed from below. The rear end of the second lens 70 in the left-right direction middle part is bent upward and connected to the longitudinal middle part of the second lens light guide section 70B. Both longitudinal ends of the second lens light guide section 70B are light entrance sections 70C, which are bent upward and disposed within the second tube section 10D of the frame 10. The end face of the light entrance section 70C is formed along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction and is located below the second indoor LED 54. As a result, light emitted downward from the second indoor LED 54 passes through the light entrance section 70C and the light-transmitting hole 10E of the frame 10, transmits through the indoor lighting section 32 of the panel 30, and illuminates the underside of the vehicle indoor lighting device 1 in the vehicle compartment CA.

[0036] Furthermore, when the second indoor LED 54 is turned on, the light entering the light entrance portion 70C is guided to the second lens body 70A by the second lens light guide portion 70B, and the light guided to the second lens body 70A mainly illuminates from above the second decorative lighting portion 30C2 of the decorative lighting portion 30C in the panel 30. That is, the decorative light-transmitting portion 30D of the second decorative lighting portion 30C2 is illuminated by the light from the second lens body 70A, and the second decorative lighting portion 30C2 is illuminated in a predetermined pattern.

[0037] Although the details will be described later, the control unit 51 controls the turning on and off of the first indoor LED 53 and the second indoor LED 54, and controls the brightness of the light of the first indoor LED 53 and the second indoor LED 54 when they are turned on, thereby changing the illumination mode of the decorative illumination unit 30C. The control unit 51 is also electrically connected to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown) that detects and stores information such as the lock and unlock state of the vehicle doors and the vehicle speed. The control unit 51 is also electrically connected to an illuminance sensor (not shown) that is arranged in the vehicle cabin and can detect the brightness in the vehicle cabin.

[0038] The side touch button units 30F1 and 30F2 are operation units used when the vehicle interior lighting device 1 is caused to illuminate the peripheries of the left and right vehicle seats SE, respectively, and the side touch button unit 30F3 is an operation unit used when the vehicle interior lighting device 1 is caused to illuminate the entire front part of the vehicle compartment CA. Furthermore, the side touch button unit 30F4 is configured as an operation unit for switching the vehicle interior lighting device 1 between interlocking and non-interlocking with the opening and closing operation of a door (not shown) of the vehicle V.

[0039] (Action and Effects) Next, the operation of the vehicle interior lighting device 1 will be described, along with the functions and effects of this embodiment.

[0040] When the vehicle interior lighting device 1 is in a non-operating state, the first interior LED 53 and the second interior LED 54 are turned off. When the control unit 51 detects that the vehicle is in use and the illuminance in the vehicle interior is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the control unit 51 turns on the pair of left and right second interior LEDs 54. As a result, the interior lighting unit 32 of the panel 30 is illuminated by light from the second interior LEDs 54, and the decorative light-transmitting unit 30D of the second decorative lighting unit 30C2 in the decorative lighting unit 30C is illuminated. As a result, the decorative lighting unit 30C is decorated with a predetermined pattern at the location of the second decorative lighting unit 30C2. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10(A), the brightness of the light emitted from the second indoor LED 54 is controlled by the control unit 51 so that the brightness of the decorative translucent portion 30D in the second decorative lighting portion 30C2 is relatively low to prevent eyesore while driving (hereinafter, this state is referred to as the down lighting state).

[0041] That is, when the vehicle is in use and the brightness inside the vehicle is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the second indoor LED 54 is always turned on, and the vehicle indoor lighting device 1 is in a dim lighting state. In the dim lighting state, the lower space of the vehicle indoor lighting device 1 is illuminated with reduced brightness by the light transmitted from the second indoor LED 54 through the indoor lighting unit 32 of the panel 30. In Fig. 10(A), the decorative lighting unit 30C is hatched, the decorative translucent unit 30D of the first decorative lighting unit 30C1 is filled in black, and the decorative translucent unit 30D of the second decorative lighting unit 30C2 is filled in gray.

[0042] When the occupant touches the side touch button section 30F1 (side touch button section 30F2) in the down lighting state of the vehicle interior lighting device 1, the control section 51 turns on the first interior LED 53 on the left (right) side while maintaining the second interior LED 54 in the on state. As a result, the light from the first interior LED 53 illuminates the interior lighting section 32 on the left (right) side of the panel 30, and also illuminates the decorative translucent section 30D of the first decorative lighting section 30C1 on the left (right) side of the decorative lighting section 30C. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10(B), the brightness of the light irradiated from the second interior LED 54 is the same as that in the down lighting state, and the brightness of the decorative translucent section 30D of the second decorative lighting section 30C2 is the same as that in the down lighting state. In addition, the brightness of the light emitted from the first indoor LED 53 is controlled by the control unit 51 so that the brightness of the decorative translucent portion 30D of the first decorative lighting unit 30C1 is higher than that of the decorative translucent portion 30D of the second decorative lighting unit 30C2 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as the spot lighting state).

[0043] As a result, in the spot lighting state of the vehicle interior lighting device 1, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 mainly lights up the periphery of the vehicle seat SE, and the lighting form of the decorative lighting unit 30C is changed so that the luminance of the first decorative lighting unit 30C1 is higher than that of the second decorative lighting unit 30C2. Note that FIG. 10(B) illustrates a state in which both the left and right first indoor LEDs 53 are turned on. Furthermore, in FIG. 10(B), the decorative lighting unit 30C is hatched, and the decorative translucent portion 30D of the first decorative lighting unit 30C1 is filled in with a lighter gray color than the decorative translucent portion 30D of the second decorative lighting unit 30C2. Note that when the occupant touches the side touch button unit 30F1 (side touch button unit 30F2) again, the control unit 51 turns off the left (right) first indoor LED 53, and the vehicle interior lighting device 1 returns to the down lighting state.

[0044] When the passenger touches the side touch button unit 30F3 in the down lighting state of the vehicle interior lighting device 1, the control unit 51 brightens the light of the second interior LED 54 and lights up both the left and right first interior LEDs 53. When the side touch button unit 30F3 is touched, as shown in FIG. 10(C), the brightness of the light emitted from the first interior LED 53 is the same as that in the spot lighting state, and the brightness of the decorative translucent portion 30D of the first decorative lighting unit 30C1 is the same as that in the spot lighting state. Furthermore, the brightness of the light emitted from the second interior LED 54 is controlled by the control unit 51 so that the brightness of the decorative translucent portion 30D of the second decorative lighting unit 30C2 is higher than that of the decorative translucent portion 30D of the first decorative lighting unit 30C1 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as the room lighting state).

[0045] As a result, in the room lighting state of the vehicle interior lighting device 1, the entire front part of the vehicle interior CA is illuminated by the vehicle interior lighting device 1, and the lighting form of the decorative lighting unit 30C is changed so that the brightness of the decorative translucent part 30D of the second decorative lighting unit 30C2 is higher than the brightness of the decorative translucent part 30D of the first decorative lighting unit 30C1. In FIG. 10(C), the decorative lighting unit 30C is hatched, and the second decorative lighting unit 30C2 is filled in white. In addition, when the passenger touches the side touch button unit 30F3 again, the control unit 51 turns off the left and right first indoor LEDs 53, and controls the brightness of the light irradiated from the second indoor LEDs 54 to be the same as that in the down lighting state. As a result, the vehicle interior lighting device 1 returns to the down lighting state.

[0046] As described above, in the vehicle interior lighting device 1, the first indoor LED 53 and the second indoor LED 54 are housed in the case 20. The panel 30 of the case 20 is provided with the indoor lighting section 32, and the light irradiated downward from the first indoor LED 53 and the second indoor LED 54 passes through the indoor lighting section 32 to illuminate the interior of the vehicle cabin CA. Here, the panel 30 is provided with the decorative lighting section 30C having the decorative light-transmitting section 30D that can transmit light. In addition, the first lens 60 and the second lens 70 are housed in the case 20, and the light irradiated from the first indoor LED 53 is guided (guided) to the back side (upper side) of the decorative lighting section 30C by the first lens 60, and the light irradiated from the second indoor LED 54 is guided (guided) to the back side of the decorative lighting section 30C by the second lens 70. As a result, the decorative lighting unit 30C can be illuminated using the first indoor LED 53 and the second indoor LED 54 for illuminating the interior of the vehicle CA, thereby decorating the vehicle interior lighting device 1. That is, the decorative lighting unit 30C can be illuminated without providing a separate light source for illuminating the decorative lighting unit 30C. Therefore, the design of the vehicle interior lighting device 1 can be improved while suppressing an increase in costs.

[0047] As described above, the light emitted from the first indoor LED 53 is guided to the rear side of the decorative lighting unit 30C by the first lens 60, and the light emitted from the second indoor LED 54 is guided to the rear side of the decorative lighting unit 30C by the second lens 70. Therefore, by appropriately setting the size and shape of the first lens 60 and the second lens 70 in accordance with the size and shape of the decorative lighting unit 30C, the decorative lighting unit 30C can be easily illuminated.

[0048] Furthermore, the radio wave sensor 40 is housed in the sensor housing portion 22A of the upper case member 22, and the decorative lighting portion 30C of the panel 30 is located below the radio wave sensor 40 and covers the radio wave sensor 40 from below. This allows the decorative lighting portion 30C to be provided on the panel 30 by utilizing the portion of the panel 30 that covers the radio wave sensor 40.

[0049] The decorative lighting unit 30C has a first decorative lighting unit 30C1 illuminated by light from the first lens body 60A of the first lens 60, and a second decorative lighting unit 30C2 illuminated by light from the second lens body 70A of the second lens 70. The decorative lighting unit 30C extends in the vehicle width direction when viewed from below, and the first decorative lighting unit 30C1 and the second decorative lighting unit 30C2 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the decorative lighting unit 30C. This allows the occupant to easily recognize the on / off state of the first indoor LED 53 and the second indoor LED 54. This improves the convenience for the occupant.

[0050] In addition, the first decorative lighting section 30C1 and the second decorative lighting section 30C2 are arranged continuously in the longitudinal direction of the panel 30. For this reason, for example, when the vehicle interior lighting device 1 is in a room lighting state, the entire decorative lighting section 30C is illuminated, so that powerful decoration can be realized in the decorative lighting section 30C.

[0051] The control unit 51 also controls the brightness of the light of the first indoor LED 53 and the second indoor LED 54 when they are turned on, to change the illumination form of the decorative illumination unit 30C. Specifically, as described above, in the down-illumination state, only the second indoor LED 54 is turned on, and only the second decorative illumination unit 30C2 is turned on. In addition, in the spot-illumination state, the first indoor LED 53 and the second indoor LED 54 are turned on so that the brightness of the second decorative illumination unit 30C2 is the same as that in the down-illumination state, and the brightness of the first decorative illumination unit 30C1 is higher than that of the second decorative illumination unit 30C2. Furthermore, in the room-illumination state, the first indoor LED 53 and the second indoor LED 54 are turned on so that the brightness of the first decorative illumination unit 30C1 is the same as that in the spot-illumination state, and the brightness of the second decorative illumination unit 30C2 is higher than that of the first decorative illumination unit 30C1. This increases the variety of lighting modes of the decorative lighting unit 30C, and allows the occupants to easily recognize the lighting state of the vehicle interior lighting device 1. This effectively improves the design of the vehicle interior lighting device 1, and further improves the convenience for the occupants.

[0052] Moreover, when viewed from below, the substrate 50 is disposed at a position where it does not overlap with the radio wave sensor 40, and the first lens 60 and the second lens 70 are disposed between the radio wave sensor 40 and the decorative lighting unit 30C. This prevents the substrate 50 from blocking radio waves transmitted from the radio wave sensor 40 to the vehicle interior CA side, and prevents the radio wave sensor 40 from blocking light from the first indoor LED 53 and the second indoor LED 54 provided on the substrate 50, while allowing the first lens 60 and the second lens 70 to guide light from the first indoor LED 53 and the second indoor LED 54 to the back side of the decorative lighting unit 30C. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Vehicle interior lighting device 20 cases 30C Decorative lighting section 30C1 First Decorative Lighting Section 30C2 Second Decorative Lighting Section 32 Indoor lighting section 40 Radio wave sensor 50 Substrates 51 Control section 53 1st indoor LED (1st light source) 54 2nd indoor LED (2nd light source) 60 First lens 70 2nd lens CA cabin

Claims

1. A first light source that irradiates light toward an inside of a vehicle interior; A second light source that irradiates light toward the inside of the vehicle interior; a case configured to include an interior lighting unit that houses the first light source and the second light source and transmits light emitted from the first light source and the second light source to illuminate an interior of a vehicle cabin, and a decorative lighting unit that has a translucent portion that can transmit light; A first lens that is housed in the case and guides the light emitted from the first light source to a rear side of the decorative lighting unit; A second lens that is housed in the case and guides the light emitted from the second light source to a rear side of the decorative lighting unit; A vehicle interior lighting device comprising:

2. The case accommodates a radio wave sensor that detects whether an occupant has entered the vehicle interior, The vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 1 , wherein the decorative illumination portion covers the radio wave sensor from the inside of the vehicle interior.

3. The decorative lighting unit includes a first decorative lighting unit illuminated by light from the first lens and a second decorative lighting unit illuminated by light from the second lens, 2. The vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed from inside the vehicle compartment, the decorative lighting section extends in the vehicle width direction, and the first decorative lighting section and the second decorative lighting section are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the decorative lighting section.

4. The vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 3 , wherein the first decorative illumination portion and the second decorative illumination portion are arranged so as to be continuous with each other in a longitudinal direction of the decorative illumination portion.

5. The first light source and the second light source are controlled to be turned on and off by a control unit, 5. The vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls brightness of the light from the first light source and the second light source when the first light source and the second light source are turned on to change the lighting form of the decorative lighting unit.

6. a substrate is accommodated in the case, and the first light source and the second light source are provided on the substrate; When viewed from the inside of the vehicle compartment, the board is disposed at a position not overlapping with the radio wave sensor, The vehicle interior lighting device according to claim 2 , wherein the first lens and the second lens are disposed between the radio wave sensor and the decorative lighting unit.

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